In a live televised news conference on Sept. 25, President Petro Poroshenko promised Ukraine would apply for European Union membership by 2020. He also said he would sign a law to cleanse government of officials implicated in crimes and corruption, try criminal suspects in absentia, and vowed to bring in up to $40 billion in foreign direct investment. Altogether, he spoke for two and a half hours. The highlights:
Strategy to apply for EU membership by 2020
The plan includes more than 60 reforms aimed to make Ukraine ready to seek membership in the 28-nation bloc. The judiciary and defense system will get modernized. Priorities include fighting corruption, decentralizing government and energy independence.
“We will get membership prospective in the European Union in 2020.” Poroshenko said.
Convictions in absentia
Introducing a procedure for absentee court hearings can make it possible to try officials who fled and were part of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration.
“We can’t be waiting for the accused to be extradited,” Poroshenko said. “And we can’t explain to the people of Ukraine why those people are not convicted yet.,” he said.
Controversial law on special status of Donbas
The law passed by the Verkhovna Rada on Sept. 16 in a closed session spurred criticism since it gives territories in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts controlled by Kremlin-backed separatists special status for three years.
Poroshenko, however, said that none of the state’s functions will be delegated to local authorities and that chief prosecutors and judges will be appointed in Kyiv, according to the law on prosecution while the newly-formed “people’s police” will follow current law. A GFK poll released on Sept. 23 found that Ukrainians are skeptical about the law with about 4o percent against it.
Hryvnia devaluation
There are several factors that caused volatility in the hryvnia exchange rate, including a 40 percent drop in the price of grain, 50 percent for ore and the halt to foreign investment because of the war, according to Poroshenko. He suggested revising the International Monetary Fund program, and securing $1 billion in macro-financial aid from the EU and another $1 billion in financial guarantees or loans from the U.S.
Investigating threats against journalists
Regarding a report that investigative journalist Alina Strizhak received threats after investigating a deputy to Prosecutor General Vitaliy Yarema, Poroshenko told the Kyiv Post: “Any threat to a journalist must get an immediate response. Not only protection of journalists but also an unbiased investigation of the facts that have just been given will be done.”
Hopes for productive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin
Peace negotiations will resume with Putin in the next three weeks, Poroshenko said, Negotiations are supposed to take place in the EU and with the political bloc’s involvement.
Local elections in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts are scheduled for Dec. 7 and can only take place in accordance with Ukrainian legislation with no armed men in the streets and international observers present, Poroshenko said.
Yanukovych allies running in Poroshenko’s bloc
Poroshenko was criticized by many after he let some candidates linked to the regime of Yanukovych like Davyd Zhvania, Vitaliy Nemilostivy join his bloc or run in single-mandate districts with his party. He, however, justified the decision.
“There are no former (Party of) Regions lawmakers, there are none of those who voted for (dictator laws passed on) Jan. 16 (in the list),” Poroshenko said. “In single constituencies these are some people who had various political views but now they are reputable.”
President’s son running for parliament
The president’s elder son Oleksiy is running in a constituency in Vinnytsia where Poroshenko’s chocolate factory is located and where he was also elected to parliament in 2012.
